I'm looking to do an axis hunt this spring with 280 Ackley -- with a 25" tube I'm getting about 2850 with the VLD and 2950 with the Partitions. Shots would be inside 300 yds but could be as close as 50 yds. Any recs on which bullet would be best? I've heard of VLD not doing well at close range?

That's a hard choice. The Partition is a proven bullet for good expansion and penetration. At the speeds of the VLD, you should also get good penetration and some bullet fragmentation. The Partition should penetrate deeper, but the VLD should cause more damage. Another good option would be a good bonded bullet, like the Accubond or LR Accubond. Either way, I think you are on the right path.

Vld is more than enough imo. Axis arent that hardy. Only thing i use a partition for is my 223. I forgot who but someone posted how well the amax is killing quickly and efficiently. Ill get flamed for this but where i like to shoot i use a lot of match bullets and ballistic tips. Never had an animal run on me using those.

Thanks guys. The gun is relatively new and I'm still playing with diff loads. Waiting for my suppressor before I get it to Chad for load dev. So far it likes everything -- factory 140 NAB, 150 LRAB, and it absolutely loves the 168 VLDs I got from a small ammo shop on the interweb. Have DOPE for those out to 800 yds and spanked a few does and hogs at 300+ yds in December. Bang-flop. But I've heard that at very close ranges the VLD will pin hole if bone isn't hit.

Thanks guys. The gun is relatively new and I'm still playing with diff loads. Waiting for my suppressor before I get it to Chad for load dev. So far it likes everything -- factory 140 NAB, 150 LRAB, and it absolutely loves the 168 VLDs I got from a small ammo shop on the interweb. Have DOPE for those out to 800 yds and spanked a few does and hogs at 300+ yds in December. Bang-flop. But I've heard that at very close ranges the VLD will pin hole if bone isn't hit.

I've heard that they blow up if pushed too fast and hit up close. I think the pencil holes may be caused by the open tip being damaged and closing up, keeping the bullet from expanding. Bergers seem to have their place, and when people use them outside of their ideal window, they get less than ideal results, just like any other bullet. Where they shine is extended ranges. Where the Partition shines is more traditional ranges. That's why I would recommend them for what you're asking. At your velocities, and within the Berger's limitations, I doubt you would have any issues. I just feel like the Partition has fewer limitations inside of 300 yards.

Yes the bergers worked great for me as they are intended to do at the extended ranged but I haven't shot anything with them at closer ranges. Obviously, I gotta do my part and put it where it's supposed to go, but I'd hate to make a risky shot (long or short) and not have it perform as intended.

I have shot things near (10 yards) and far well 500+ yards with both. The rest of the Bergers in the reloading rack will be used for punching paper, busting rocks, ringing steel.... you get the idea. On game performance I like the Nosler Partitions better, never had one fail to do its job. Like John Wooters once wrote "use a partition and the animals will to escape goes out the other side".

Accubonds and Siroccos are other good choices for on game performance from my experience.

I have taken deer, hogs, antelope and the occasional coyote using the 7mm VLD with a muzzle velocity of 3150 as close as 80 yards and all the way to 600+ yards and have never had the bullet blow up or fail to expand. As a matter of fact I have never had a Partion, Accubond or Game King ever fail to perform as designed as long as I put the bullet were I was supposed to but I still prefer VLDs